Brazil warmed up for the World Cup in impressive fashion as the South Americans defeated the Republic of Ireland 2-0 in Tuesday’s friendly in London.
Dunga’s side were playing their last serious match before kicking off their World Cup campaign against North Korea in Johannesburg on June 15 and, after a slow start, they gradually turned on the style at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
An own goal from Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews put the five-time World Cup winners ahead just before half-time and Robinho added the second after the break to cap a magical move.
PHOTO: REUTERS
For Ireland, facing Brazil was a painful reminder of what might have been as they returned to action for the first time since Thierry Henry’s infamous handball set up the goal that sent France to South Africa at the expense of Giovanni Trapattoni’s men.
It was also an historic occasion as goalkeeper Shay Given and defender Kevin Kilbane made their 103rd appearances for Ireland — taking them ahead of Steve Staunton as their country’s most capped players.
While Ireland were hoping to exorcize some demons, Brazil were looking to conclude their World Cup preparations by sending a warning to their rivals for the title.
Brazil had given England a lesson in smooth passing during their friendly win over Fabio Capello’s side in Qatar last November.
But Dunga’s policy of using tough-tackling midfielders like Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo ahead of the more flamboyant Ronaldinho showed he is still happier to rely on a pragmatic approach than worry about providing entertainment for Brazil’s legion of fans.
Players like Kaka ensure there is still a sprinkling of inspiration to go with all the perspiration and he had the first sight of goal with a long-range effort that flashed over Given’s crossbar.
Ireland had gone close to taking the lead when Damien Duff’s cross picked out Kevin Doyle and the Wolves forward cleverly angled a header that Julio Cesar pushed away.
But North London has become a home from home for Brazil in recent years — this was the Selecao’s fifth visit to the Emirates — and the “hosts” threatened when Adriano’s free-kick forced Given into action for the first time.
Dunga’s team took the lead in the 44th minute with their only truly incisive moment of the half.
Breaking from their own penalty area, the ball was worked wide to Maicon and the right-back slipped a pass that found Robinho just barely onside in the Ireland box.
The Manchester City winger, currently on loan at Santos, took a touch before whipping over a low cross that Andrews turned into his own net as he tried to clear at the near post.
Trapattoni sent on a host of substitutes in the second half including Scots-born debutant midfielder James McCarthy, but it was Brazil who turned the screw.
Left-back Michel Bastos almost got the second goal with a fierce strike from Robinho’s pass, then Daniel Alves should have scored moments after coming off the bench, only for the Barcelona defender to shoot wide after rounding Given.
Robinho had the ball in the net in the 68th minute but his effort was ruled out for offside.
It wasn’t long before Robinho was celebrating as he finished a sublime move in the 76th minute.
He took Kaka’s back-heel and passed to Grafite before bursting into the area to receive the striker’s cute back-flick and dispatch a fine finish past Given.
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